Hey, Let’s Talk About That One Time When I Met Robin Williams

Posted on June 12, 2012

We’ve all done it: imagined running into a celebrity we admire and respect, armed and ready with some charming repartee that will burn our likeness into the mind of said celebrity forever and ever, amen. In the dream, we’re also dressed to the nines, glowing, and smell really, really good. We don’t imagine wearing a grandma sweater, sweating profusely and squeaking out a few quietly incomprehensible words. Oh no, we don’t imagine that at all.

Over the weekend, my husband and I went shopping for his new mountain bike, a carbon thing that will send him rocketing off the mountain at lighting speed and cause me to worry about his well-being every time he dons his helmet. We had to hang out in the tiny, narrow shop for over an hour while they changed some parts around and upsold him on pedals and seat levery stuff. I was pretending to be interested in something called “Bike Pajamas” when a guy squeezed past us to check out some bags in the back with the owner, Simon. A moment later, I heard a voice that made my ears perk. I turned to my husband, wide-eyed. “Robin Williams is here!” I whisper-shouted. And then, without skipping a beat: “I’m going to go and talk to him!”

Hey, I’m no wallflower. My husband shook his head a little, as if to say, “Give the guy a break.” But I saw my opportunity and I rushed right in to take it. Trouble was, I didn’t think about what I was actually going to say. Once Robin made his way back up to the front and began chatting amicably with Simon, I casually inserted myself into the scene and said, “Hello, Mr. Williams, it’s so nice to meet you.” You know, as if he had already introduced himself to me and I was merely returning the courtesy. “I’m a big fan.” I’m sure he never hears that one. “Can I be really annoying and ask for a photo?” Way to point out the fact that you’re being really annoying. Because you are.

He was very gracious, took off his big, black sunglasses and swooped his arm around me for a photo. Now was my chance to say something that would make an impression, something profound and funny and effortless to seal the deal.
“I saw you on the street last summer in New York. And you had a crazy beard.”

I could have said, “Your stand-up is so fantastically off-color.” Or, “Dead Poet’s Society changed my life.” Or even something harmless like, “What are you up to today? Going to hit the trails?” But nope, I made a comment about his personal grooming habits. Because really, isn’t that the best and most obvious choice when you’re hoping to impress a famous person?

Hey, at least I didn’t do this: “This one time, I stuck my head next to Robin Williams’ head and took a picture where he’s not looking but he was so nice and friendly and didn’t mind at all. And, and, and, Robin Williams!”

He was very kind and took my strange comment in stride, informing me that the beard in question was for the play he was performing in last year. I managed to say a couple of normal things along the lines of, “I hope you’re enjoying Vancouver.” And then it was over. My chance at verbal brilliance lost like a Betamax tape of The World According to Garp.

Well. Maybe I still smelled good. Here’s hoping.

Have you ever had a celebrity encounter? Were you dressed to the nines and cool as a cucumber? Slightly flustered? Or did the nonsense tumble forth like an unbidden fountain of verbal embarrassment? If not, who do you hope to meet? And what do you think you’ll say? Do tell.

I ran into my favorite singer’s wife when I was like 17 and she was 7 months pregnant. In the mall!
I actually followed her through several shops (but I was really shopping there, so not being entirely creepy) and finally mustered the courage to walk up to her and ask if she was who I thought she was. From the look on her face, I could tell she didn’t care for her husband’s fans following her around malls. So I quickly said I only wanted to wish her luck with the baby and hoped the fans would leave them in peace to enjoy the little one.
Not too bad for a 17-year-old, huh?

That’s awesome! I was working the concessions at the local downtown Halifax movie theatre when I was still in grade 12 (eek 10 years ago!) and we all heard that Rob Lowe was in the theatre watching Minority Report. He was in town filming a TV movie and only myself and some of the managers even knew who he was (The Outsiders anyone?!?). With the walkie talkies on and everyone working on standby for a celebrity sighting (this was around his time on The West Wing I believe), he strode out flashing his perfect smile that showcased how truly worthy he was of his Brat Pack designation… I completely ignored the 3 rather delicious young fellas I was supposed to be serving as Mr. Lowe waved and slow-motioned his way out of the theatre and into my heart. Le sigh… :)

“Mr. Lowe waved and slow-motioned his way out of the theatre and into my heart.” After that story, I have a crush on Rob Lowe, and I could have cared less about him five minutes ago. Sounds dreamy. Thanks for sharing, L!

I have met and been comissioned for artwork by quite a few celebrites and I always went to see them or if they came to my studio I was dressed in jeans. Some came for the first time all dressed up but the next time they came dressed very casually. Some became my dear friends and I can tell you that they are relived that you do not dress up for them or say things to impress them. They are just like you, only better known. He most likely thought that you were cute! And so you are.

How cool that you’ve had so much of your artwork commissioned by others, celebrity or otherwise. I checked out your paintings and they’re beautiful :) I think you’re onto something with the casual comment. Although Robin Williams is the first celebrity I’ve actually approached, I’ve seen some others out and about, and they’re usually very dressed down, hoping to go unrecognized, no doubt. I don’t blame them one bit!

Oh, I bet that they want to impress you as much as you want the same.
It is not for their beneifit that I wear jeans most of the time. Ok, have to dress up for receptions- but jeans are me and I am old enough to be me no matter what. Receptions excluded. Ha Ha

Hmmm… I was sitting with a friend at a tiny bar in SoHo having an extremely private conversation. I paid no attention to the bearded guy off to my right who was sitting there quietly hunched over his drink. He was alone the entire time we were there, and was within earshot. (My reaction to strangers who appear to be eavesdropping is usually to ignore them.)

A few days later the friend goes back to the bar, and he gets in a conversation with the guy who introduces himself as “Phil”, and says he works in theater. Friend doesn’t make the connection until the next day when he is browsing the internet, and he notices the guy’s picture in a film review… Phillip Seymour Hoffman was eavesdropping on us! Friend did say he was really nice, and that “Phil” bought him 3-4 drinks.

Ha, cool story! He was probably doing a bit of character study :) We waited for him after “Death of a Salesman” last month but he was the only actor who didn’t come out and say hi. I guess he only likes mingling when there are drinks involved. Can’t say I blame him!

Back in high school, I found out that James Marsters (best known as the Billy Idol-lookalike vampire Spike on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) was doing a signing at a comic book store the weekend after my birthday. After waiting over two hours, it was finally my turn. He read the post-it that told him what to write on the 8×10 and looked up at me all dreamy and said, “Happy birthday!” I nervously mumbled my gratitude and proceeded to tell him how my friends had “milked” me at school the previous day. Having milk thrown all over you on your birthday was traditional at my school and commonly referred to as “milking” not to be confused with… well, you know. James looked up at me with a questionable look on his face and my 15-year-old self quickly explained what I meant, but the damage had been done. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but looking back, gah! I was such a geek and what an impression I must have made.

ha ha! This is TOTALLY awesome, and you DO rock, because most people (like me) would have been too shy to approach him at all! And the picture is GREAT. I can’t believe this just happened!

With everything in life, I think I’ll be okay, and then when I actually get in the moment, I panic. When I was 16, I met Jonathan Taylor Thomas during a taping of The View, and he was standing there for a minute or two signing posters, so I had ample opportunity to win his affections. All I could think to say was, “I like your ring.” He didn’t really say anything in response. Meanwhile, my unflappable sister (who is 5 years older than me and couldn’t give a poop about any celebs) was chatting him up about college and where he wanted to go. SIGH.

Great Post. I have had encounters with professional ball players and seemed to hold my own pretty well. I would love to meet Curtis Stone (chef) and of course being a hottie is not bad either – ha! Happy Tuesday:)

wow you are so lucky…i keep on imagining what i would say to Meg Ryan when i meet here..obviously i do not think of the probability of finding her in my city in a country so far from USA.. guess there is no harm in imagining.. ;)

Oh, that’s a good one–I would love to meet Meg Ryan. I was just wondering aloud the other day why she doesn’t make many movies anymore. She’s awesome! I’ll be crossing my fingers that she has a press junket in your neck of the woods one day ;)

So true that you always think you will be cool and collected. I met that guy Landon from The Real World Philadelphia 2004 backstage at a Better than Ezra concert. I was 16, and in the picture his hand is creepily high up my rib cage. I don’t remember the conversation, but I remember his voice being super high pitched.

I am soo sad! I have never met one, single, famous person, ever! They are kind of scarce in my neck of the woods. If given the oppurtunity, I’m sure I would probably do nothing other than Gawk. So, Kuddos to you, my dear and if nothing else it made a fabulous post! Now, I just need to get out more!

Hee! To be fair, that beard WAS pretty noteworthy. I had an embarrassing encounter when I rushed up to Anna Sui at a fashion show, and could not get out a single word, except “HI!” I said THAT twice, then turned around in terror. Doh.

I was at the Crosby Open at Pebble Beach a LONG time ago, standing in a crowd on the green and I heard this deep voice behind me say “Excuse me”. I turned around and it was James Garner (in his gorgeous prime) towering over me literally inches away. I was dumbstruck, but technically he spoke to me. He had the most beautiful skin I’ve ever seen on a man. I also saw Clint Eastwood, who had on the ugliest brown polyester floods you’ve ever seen and a very frail Bing Crosby. Haven’t seen a celebrity since.

I think my most memorable meeting was the one I didn’t actually get to meet…I was pulled over speeding on my way to meet Pearl Jam. My sister worked at a local hotel welcoming German and French guests, there was a Pearl Jam concert that night and she ran into Eddie Vedder and told him I was a huge fan he told her to called…I never made it. Damn karma, hoping to cash in on that missed opportunity sometime soon now that I remember it ;) I like your new profile picture Rian, simply elegant!

We will leave it at “a friend of mine” was at a beach and saw Goldie Hawn. Now, Kurt Russell is, well, the one she goes crazy over. Eventually, she got to meet him and, basically, she grabbed his arm and started screaming. Needless to say, she did make an impression on him.
See? You can feel okay. There are impressions and then…
Scott